Norbreck Genetics Scholarship

With more than £10,000 available for successful appicants, the scholarship fund launched by the Lancaster and Morecambe Agriculture and Horticultural Society Trustees in 2009 encourages young farmers and horticulturalists to study or explore business ideas abroad.

In 2014, winners of the scholarship included Ian Atkinson who received £3500 for travelling to New Zealand to study different livestock selling strategies. Joe Towers was awarded £3000 to travel to China to look at the Chinese dairy industry and discover the opportunities that exist for UK businesses.

In addition to the travel bursary, the Lancaster and Morecambe Agriculture and Horticultural Society trustees also funded an entrepreneurial young farmer to attend the Oxford Farming Conference in January 2015. Bethany Carr received £600 towards her trip and will be encouraging people to apply for the funds.

To date more than £60,000 has been provided for rural youngsters to expand their horizons. Those individuals have travelled to France, USA, Australia and New Zealand, looking at a varied range of issues from walling techniques to beef rearing, sheep marketing, equine development and wholesale flower businesses. Applicants must prepare a proposal outlining how they would use the fund and why they would benefit.

The judging panel includes Lancaster and Morecambe Agriculture and Horticultural Society Trustees, Craig Thompson, Myerscough College’s Learning Manager for Agriculture and Philip Halhead from Norbreck Genetics. Commenting on the scholarship, Philip says: “We’ve always received excellent and diverse applications in the past and following the candidates on their journey and beyond, we know the scholarship is making an impact. There’s a wealth of entrepreneurial spirit in Lancashire and we’re keen to hear from young people who want to gain a global insight into their dreams.”

For 2019 the scholarship will be running alongside the following dates:

13th February – Launch evening @ Myerscough College

8th March – Application deadline

15th March – Shortlist

29th March – Interviews

Norbreck Genetics

The Halhead family has a long and deeply rooted history in cattle breeding and dairy farming.